PREH supplies MMI Control System and Multifunction Steering Wheel Switches for the new Audi A8

Feb. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Preh, a leading supplier of automotive driver controls, sensors and electronic control units, is supplying the control system for the multimedia interface (MMI) and the multifunction steering wheel switches for the new Audi A8, featuring a new design and additional functions.

The MMI control system includes in-mold menu buttons decorated with real aluminum as well as rotary knobs with a piano lacquer look.  For the first time, these have corona illumination on the surface. Special attention was paid to high-quality haptics and very low tolerances in the implementation of the buttons and rotary knobs.

In addition, an innovative sealing concept was used to prevent spilled beverages from leaking into the unit.  The new “MMI Navigation Plus” equipment option integrates a touchpad in the control panel, that the driver can use to intuitively control different functions in several main menus. The system also uses handwriting recognition to support the direct entry of letters and numbers on the touchpad.
 
In addition to the control system’s integrated touchpad, Audi provides another variant in the A8 where additional joystick functions have been combined in the turnable/pushable knob.
The joystick function provides eight directions of movement, this time not by tilting, but rather by the smooth sliding movement of the turnable/pushable actuator.

As standard equipment, the steering wheel has switch-paddles for gear selection as well as multifunction switches.  To improve the function selection, the steering wheel multifunction switches have a scroll switch with a confirmation function.  A precise haptic layout is


achieved by Preh’s proprietary encoder technology which separates functions and haptics.  In the MMI control system, the highest quality demands in terms of surfaces and nighttime driving design have been fulfilled.

“The haptics, look and functions of the MMI control system clearly reflect the premium status of the Audi A8,” said Jochen Ehrenberg, executive director Product Engineering at Preh. “The implementation of Audi’s design guidelines and the system integration within a demanding period of time were made possible only with the strong team of developers in Bad Neustadt,” he added.

“We attain a high standard product quality by bundling all the critical production technologies and processes in-house,” continued Ehrenberg.  “The vertical integration ranges from plastics, light-guide, painting and laser-etching techniques to electronics production and semiautomatic system-supported final assembly.”

About Preh
Preh was founded in Germany in 1919.  As a full-service supplier, Preh works directly with major automakers in the development and production of complete driver control systems, sensors and electronic control units.

The company maintains in-house capabilities for plastics injection molding, precision mechanics, light-pipe design, electronics hardware, surface finishing, laser etching and software development.

Preh employs over 2,000 people located in Germany, Portugal, Romania, France, Mexico, China and the U.S.  More than 90 percent of Preh’s annual revenue comes from its automotive business.  Preh’s U.S. customer service center is located in Novi, Mich.  For more information, please visit: www.preh.com.

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About Preh
Preh was founded in Germany in 1919. As a full-service supplier, Preh works directly with major automakers in the development and production of complete driver control systems, sensors and electronic control units.

The company maintains in-house capabilities for plastics injection molding, precision mechanics, light-pipe design, electronics hardware, surface finishing, laser etching and software development.

Preh employs over 2,000 people located in Germany, Portugal, Romania, France, Mexico, China and the U.S. More than 90 percent of Preh’s annual revenue comes from its automotive business. Preh’s U.S. customer service center is located in Novi, Mich. For more information, please visit: www.preh.com.